Happy Cat Jay’s Party Playlist
Happy Cat Jay has been biding his time to make sure that his sound is one which fully encompasses his abilities as a musician, producer and songwriter. Crossing genres with a mixture of electronic, funk, hip-hop and pop influences, expect plenty of surprises to come from Happy Cat Jay over the coming months.
Crazy Penis – There’s a Better Place [Paper Recordings] Happy to open with a stone-cold-classic. I’ve been starting a few of my earlier in the evening sets with this tune for a couple months now. I love the Willy Wonka sample – it’s one of those that makes you feel warm and fuzzy. Depending on how long you play this one through, it gives you loads of different places to go in the mix which is fun. To me this really represents how much great banging music is still out there to be discovered from years ago.
KH (Four Tet) – Only Human [Ministry of Sound] Always really loved Kieran’s music and this tune from 2019 really breathed a new love of hard-core minimal dance music back into my life. You definitely have to warm up the right crowd to slip this one in and has to be the right soundsystem for sure. The effortless blend of electronic and organic sounds really makes this one special for me. It feels kind of anthemic when the vocals come through as well – it’s also really nice to see Ministry of Sound still pushing genre boundaries with these releases.
Happy Cat Jay – Up Early [Fat! Records] I’ve included this one of mine because I’ve only recently started to play it out. This is from my ‘Moods’ EP out 2020 with Fat! Records. I’m really proud of the mix of tunes from the record and this track probably features the most live drums which feel exciting for the future. This one has been unexpectedly dance-floor-friendly which is a massive confidence boost.
Digital Afrika – Babalú Ayé [Wonderwheel Recordings] Perhaps one of the simplest and most effective feel-good tunes I’ve ever known. I vaguely remember shamelessly Shazamming this on a dancefloor last year and have been in love with the whole EP ever since. It’s got this lovely dichotomy between serious and playful which lets you get down whilst lifting you up. The shimmery (I believe) Juno swells throughout are totally in my production lane so there’s also an element of familiarity with this tune personally. If you’re into it, you can also cop this on vinyl and it sounds prime.
Kobe JT & Minista – Ur Love [Strictly Flava] A Happy Cat Jay DJ set would never be right without a dash of 4×4 Speed Garage so that’s exactly what I’ve added this for. My brother and I are very in sync over tasteful (and tasteless) Speed Garage. This tune is on the smoother end of the Speed Garage scale but it’s a righteous stomper nonetheless. I think what makes this feel so soulful is how sympathetically the vocals are edited to allow the whole phrases to come through. I’m also such a sucker for smooth soft synths that seem to glide over this undeniable groove (especially good if you’re playing out on a sub-par system). I discover loads of music listening to local radio (North London) in the car and heard this on Back2BackFM (bigup) last year whilst driving back from a gig and I immediately stopped the car like a crazy person to text the station for the track ID!
Richie Spice – Youth Dem Cold [VP Music Group] Simply put, this is just a great, great tune. An iconic melody and Richie Spice has one of those special voices you never forget once you’ve heard it. The message here is so strong and full of positivity too – it’s more important now, maybe more than ever, to consider the world we’re leaving behind us for future generations. Couple that with more clean, low-end than you can shake a stick at and you’ve got yourself a dance-floor filler. Listeners be prepared – this one rattles.
Young T & Bugsy – Don’t Rush (Feat. Headie One) [Black Butter] I find playing hip-hop/rap music out can be really hit and miss – some people just aren’t really into it. As much as I love beats it’s got to be about the wordsmiths and each and every one shines on this record. The little turnaround is so sick too and lets you sit into the beat very comfortably as a listener when it drops back in. I’m personally really not a fan of over distorted basslines and very produced rap vocals. If anything, it’s the cleanliness of the sub and how tight the little vocal sample sits that makes this work so well for me. The lead vocals seem to have all the space they need to come through without working too hard. In short – everything from the bars to the beats on this record are so tight and feel so effortless.
Calibre & MC Fats – Drop It Down [Signature] I can’t put my finger on why but over summer 2019 I was desperate to play some old school D’n’B. This was such a trip down memory lane for me – this tune was pretty much my way into drum and bass. My cousin Chris had a Ford Escort RS Turbo when I was growing up and being in the back of that with this track banging away was the coolest thing in the world to an 11-year-old JP. It’s just an absolute classic – some of the Boiler Room guys who came to the Lemon Lounge end of summer wrap party were loving this from memory. Wish I’d wheeled it up a few more times now looking back on it.
Pablo Bravas – Gimme Extra Pineapple On My Pizza [Another Rhythm] I couldn’t do a rundown of some of my favourites without shouting out my boy. This guy was one of my first pals at Ten87 studios and he’s given me so much advice and support on my own music. He’s very well respected in the electronic music world and 2019 saw him launch this new alias – get to know. This tune is a lovely big-room belter which slaps a big grin on your face and gives you carte blanche to have it fucking large – which at the end of the day is what it’s all about. To quote a living legend – “You just gotta do it, incha.”
